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When you look at the incredibly intricate yoga poses Alex Starodubstev glides into, it's sometimes hard to believe he's made of the same ilk as the rest of humankind. Well, this is the result of many years of daily yoga practicing. However, yoga is only half of his expertise - the other half is based on his extensive background as a professional water polo player in Kazahkstan, his homeland. Being part of the Kazahkstan national team of water polo enabled Alex to obtain an athletic scholarship to play water polo and study at an American college. In 1995 he sat foot in Brooklyn Heights, NY, to study International Economics at St. Francis College.
While studying for his B.A., Alex continued playing water polo, but this time in the NCAA. Only days after he had turned twenty, while swimming in the pool, he spotted a man teaching a woman yoga next to the water. The sight fascinated him, so he went up to talk to the man. The man's name was Eric Bloom, a long-time student of Manju Jois -- the son of Ashtanga Yoga founder, Patabi Jois. Eric and Alex clicked instantly and soon thereafter, Eric gave Alex one-on-one instruction in yoga. From that day until present, Alex was to spend one to three hours daily practicing yoga and he was soon approached to teach others yoga.
When Alex finished college, he embarked on a career in finance. The long hours at the office forced him to make a decision between playing water polo and practicing/teaching yoga. Yoga won. Soon realizing that the world of finance wasn't for him, Alex left his job and started giving swimming lessons (he is a certified Water Safety Instructor and Life Guard) at the Paris Health Club and the health club where we're all working. In addition, having always had a deep interest in alternative medicine & bodywork, Alex enrolled at the world-famous Ohashi Institute. Within short, he will have completed his Shiatsu practitioner certification (Japanese Acupressure). Last, he has completed his NASM personal trainer certification and is currently working with clients.
Alex's rigorous training as a professional athlete makes him especially suited for sports-specific training. In order to condition water polo players, their coach often has them play many, many hours of other sports such as soccer, handball, rugby, and basketball. As if this wouldn't be enough, this graduate of the Kazahkstan Sports Academy of Olympic Reserves also has studied plenty of Aikido and Jiujitsu. His next step is to become a yoga-therapist, something only very experienced yoga teachers can ever become.